The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1887-03-24

to the house aud Mrs. Mort was so eccentric In
her behavior, that we really felt afraid lest
evil should befall him. II was therefore no
small relief to us to hear him ring at the door
about an hour later. 1 rushed out to nicer
him, and was delighted to see him safe and
sound, though looking rather pale
"Wcll!n asked anXlously.
SITS all right he answered. "lye seen
him But what a guy he is lie scared Inc 1
out Of my wits" L.
II took him up to my husbands study and
begged him TO tell us all about what he had
seen, and how he had managed to come face
to face with our invisible parishioner.
''Yes,n he answered. but you must let me
smoke cigar while | talk-iny nerves are
rather shaken. You won't mlnd Mary"
gave my consent readily, and, when he had
lighted his cigar, he began. - 80
81 knocked several times at the door before
/ got an answer from within. At last heard
heavy step coming down the stairs and pres
entity n cruff voice asked me, through the spy
hole who was and what wanted
81 have come down from Jones, Wilson
Cohorts publishers, YOU know ] answer
ed. 1t is on most important beslncss. must
see him at once,
"'What is this businessr asked the voice
- c II only tell II to Mr.. Mort himself. !
repeat. II is very important. have besides,
to hand him Il check
''The door was then opened, and entered
perfectly dark hall.
'Uave YOU any matches about you!" asked
the woman, for woman | distinguished the
person to he.
''No, | said.
"'Wcl them 20 in there, she said, pushing
me into a room one side OF the passage.
"Ths room was family lighted by what
/ looked like moon light pouring through panes
/ Of red glass
''Thc drawing room,n interrupted "You
| remember, John. Go on Charlie"
at had most ghastly effect, can tell
you, and began TO regret having come. The
woman stood at the door long time without
speaking.
4 "At last she said: ~ will send Mr. Mort
/ Town to YOU. But you must stay in the dark
! Ills eyes won't bear the light"
with these words she went up stairs !
/ felt very uncomfortable, and began feeling in
my pocket for n light can not tell you
/ how glad was to discover couple of fusecs
/ in the lining of my waistcoat.
~ heard Ler walking slowly up stairs, aud
! then in the room above my head. Then there
was sound OF voices Us of man and
woman talking, but | could not distinguish
what was said very clearly. The man seemed
/ 70 ask ''Who Is It. what does he want!h
/ The womans answers were inaudiblc.
"Presently ! heard steps on the stalrs--a
/ heavy, slow tread. It was Mr.. Mort On the
landing he began TO whistle and came wills
| ling into the ROOM
Il was sitting on chair opposite the door
aud saw him come in. II was tall, stout
figure, and what greatly surprised me was
hat he wore a hat. .' d.
81 could see neither his face nor his dress
but assure youthis tall, black figure wear
Ing a hat was of no very comfortable aspect
is saw 1t pass through that mysterious light.
"Hc crossed the room whistling all che
while, and sat down with his back to the
window, the curtains OF which he arranged SO
as to completely conceal his person.
"Well, what do you WANT" he asked In a
Fery deep voice. II hope your business is
very important. Otherwise you may get into
trouble for disturbing me at this hour. Come,
What is it!n -..... .u go.
81 had prepared my answer, and said; "We
have had an offer of 5000 from Whites, of
New York, for the advance sheets OF your next
novel. We are to cable reply. | have been
sent down TO consult you. aud at the same
lime to ask YOU when II will be ready. We are
very anxious TO get the manuscript In hand at
lncc.n ...
''Mr. Mort made no answer, and the perfect
stiffness OF the house. the awful light that
shown through the window, and the dim out
inc OF the mysterious figure among the cur
tains, produced together an elect that was
decidedly unpleasant TO my nerves, decld-
ed that nv joke had gone far enough But
could not 20 away without seeing cur author,
that would have been ilasco So dropped
a shilling on the floor, pretended to group for
Il, and struck fusee.
with cry that chilled me to the bones,
The figure sprang at me, with Its arms out.
OF course was not going TO stand any vio-
cnce, author or no author, so 1 pushed my
chair In between his legs aud down he came,
such cropperi Meanwhile rushed out into
The passage, opened the door somehow aud
AN all the way here. And jolly glad 1 am to
Ne out Of that house"
"But didn't you sec him after all,n cried.
30 yes,n answered Charlie IL just had a
glance as dropped my fusee, when he
rushed at me. But that glance was quite
enough. It was like concentrated Bedlam.
"Well, describe him 10 us, Chariie,n said
! nv husband, who seemed as much interested
as myself was t
"a tall fat man, with fat face, beardless
aud whiskerless. He had top hat on. His
hair was short and like rats tails"
: taIohn ~ rried horror. stricken. twhv